Major fire breaks out at a Jebel Ali warehouse

A major fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in a warehouse in South zone of Jebel Ali free zone at 1.30pm, an eyewitness said.

The fire broke out at Wonu International warehouse but there have been no casualties, according to an eyewitness.

The fire has been put out within hours by the firefighting crews. Jebel Ali Free Zone is one of the world’s largest free zone.

Towering flames and thick plumes of smoke poured from the warehouse at the center of the blaze near the Jebel Ali port. The building at the center of the fire held acrylic blankets for Wonu International, a bed covering and textile manufacturer, said the company's general manager, Choon Park.

"Everybody came out," he said, adding that no workers in the warehouse were injured in the blaze.

The industrial area is separated from the port by a major highway linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There appeared to be no direct threat to the port or the surrounding business offices in the Jebel Ali free zone.

The Jebel Ali port is a major hub for Gulf shipping and is near a new airport complex that Emirati officials hope to develop into a global cargo and transport center in the coming decade.